MP says roof unlikely for new Gold Coast swim centre

A Gold Coast MP says it would have been expensive to cover the new Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

There has been criticism of the venue after competitors and spectators were exposed to the elements during the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

The Education Minister and Member for Surfers Paradise, John-Paul Langbroek, says he attended the event on Sunday night and enjoyed it.

"Unfortunately no-one can control the weather," he said.

"It would have cost $30 million more to put a roof on ... and for people who were in Glasgow they said that an enclosed pool was completely different in terms of the weather and a completely different experience."

He says the Southport facility is not the first international sporting venue built without a roof.

"There have been outdoor pools done in Barcelona at the Olympics that I've seen, I believe Los Angeles at the Olympics as well had an outdoor venue," he said.

"That's what we've got, we'll be enhancing it for the Commonwealth Games and there'll be a lot to learn from the Pan Pacs but overall it was a very positive experience including for the athletes."

Mr Langbroek says it is unlikely a roof will be added.

"I don't think there is a plan to put a roof on there for the Commonwealth Games, that's obviously up to the organisers," he said.

"It will add significant costs and for most of the time it'll end up being a venue that's 99 per cent empty and I don't think that's what we want to do with hard earned taxpayers' money."